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Old Molino Jail Restoration Celebrated
November 14, 2009
Area history buffs gathered in Molino Friday morning to celebrate the restoration work done on the old Town of Molino Jail — a nearly 100 year old single-cell structure that was hidden away for years.
The jail was built about 1915 and repaired in 1927, said Lil King of the Molino Mid-County Historic Society. The faint outline of the 1927 date written in the concrete doorway at the time of the repair is still visible today. The jail was repaired in 1927 after an explosion took off the door, possibly in an escape attempt, King said.
The jail, located on Brickyard Road, a short distance northwest of Molino Road, had been hidden away behind thick growth for years before being “uncovered” in February, 2008. Since that time, inmate carpenters and craftsmen from the Escambia County Road Prison have worked to restore the jail.
“It still looks old,” said Tom Helms, member of the Molino Mid-County Historic Society. “All work was done without giving a new look to any of it. Even the new facing rafters were stained to look weathered.”
The small brick building was remarkably good shape when county crews uncovered it in 2008. The tongue and groove wood ceiling looked virtually undamaged. The roof needed some minor repair; and there was some water damage to wood around the bar-covered windows. But all of that damage has now been repaired by the road prison inmates.
There is just a single room in the old jail. It contains a single cell in the room, with a small area to walk around three sides of the cell. The door of old cell still swings freely, and does not even squeak. There is no obvious sign that the building was ever heated in winter.
The Town of Molino was established in 1913 and was dissolved after hard financial times during the Great Depression. In 1933, the Florida Legislature abolished the town and distributed the assets of the town to Escambia County.
In the document pictured to the left, known as House Bill 322, the Legislature directed the county to keep the fair grounds as a public park and that “the jail and city hall be maintained by the said County of Escambia for the use of peace officers of the said county”. Click the photo to the left to read a copy of the document.
The city hall was believed to be located directly in front of the old jail, but it is no longer standing.
It was after King located this document while researching Molino history in Tallahassee that they historical society was able to get the county to clean up the lot around the jail since it became clear the county owns the property.
Pictured top: The single cell inside the old Town of Molino Jail. Pictured top inset: A side window of the old building. Pictured bottom inset: House Bill 322 directed Escambia County to maintain the jail. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Old Molino Jail Restoration Celebrated”
I grew up within a 100 yards of this old jail and we use to play in there during the mid 50’s. In about 1959/60 I worked in an old grocery store (Owned by Tom McCann) which was located on Molino Road about 30 or 40 yards from the old jail. The old building which the grocery store was located is still there (as of 2010). I remember that we had an old train station down the street about one block away. Although I’ve been gone from the area since graduation from high school (Tate High – class of 1961) I still enjoy returning there as it brings back many many memories of my child hood days. I grew up with Louie Diamond, Don Sutton and the Harris family.
it is about time molino digs farther into its history before it all fades away. there are more gems of molino history just lying around in ruins that need to be carefully preserved before they get torn down for ruins. the bldg at the corner of molino rd and 95a ( 2 bldgs there) and the old gindle store and behind it old red family home. lets restore molino not tear down history
This is around the corner from where we live, my 12 year old loves old history. He will be so excited to hear this and we will have to go over and take some pictures. We were a little Mayberry, although, even Mayberry had two cells.
My Grandfather lived on Brickton Rd around the corner for 80 years, he would have been able to tell us alot about this. Any one have any older relatives living who could tell a little more about the Brickyard rd area. I find it amazing that the JAIL would have been over in this area of Molino.
For those of you who don’t know Molino was a big town in its day. Need to check out the historical society and get some info.
Wow this is where I grew up, don’t remember a jail being down in what we called old Molino. If my Dad and Mom were still alive I bet they could tell me about it. Thanks William for this article. Darlene Gay Moye
What a gem! Another piece of history restored and given back to the people of the Molino and surrounding areas. Like “puddin” I wonder if if will be available for pictures?
Cool! I’ve been driving past that thing, on and off, for a while now and have always been curious about what it was. I wonder if we can go inside and take a look?